Lead Data Scientist

Job Overview

CAVA is looking for a Lead Data Scientist who will help discover information hidden in vast amounts of data, support smarter decisions, improve productivity, and deliver even better guest experiences.

• Develop and implement machine learning models and algorithms to support business objectives, including predictive analytics, demand forecasting, and other business tools leveraging data and AI.
• Perform data mining and statistical analysis to extract meaningful insights from large, complex datasets, including potential third‑party data sets.
• Enhance data collection and processing workflows to ensure data accuracy, relevance, and integrity.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams across marketing, operations, and IT to create, validate, and integrate AI/ML solutions into existing platforms and applications.
• Create, maintain, and monitor models for business uses including labor models, price optimization, menu evaluation, customer segmentation, next‑best‑action marketing, real estate assessment, etc.
• Create automated systems for anomaly detection, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Leverage advanced analytics and large‑language models (LLMs) to provide actionable insights and summarize key business trends.
• Design and execute A/B tests and other experiments to validate hypotheses and optimize strategies.
• Document model development processes, performance metrics, and findings to ensure transparency and reproducibility.
• Process, cleanse, and verify the integrity of data used for analysis.
• Perform ad‑hoc analysis and present results in a clear manner.
• Utilize analytical AI algorithms (e.g., linear regression, decision trees, boosted trees models) to automatically gather insights that will be presented in the commercial reporting solution of the company.
• Leverage anomaly detection algorithms (e.g., isolation forest) to identify anomalies within the data and generate alerts for the commercial reporting team.
• Oversee the extraction, preparation, and utilization of large datasets required for model training, validation, and implementation, ensuring data quality and relevance.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of AI models and GenAI solutions, their logic, and performance metrics.

Ability to demonstrate technical expertise with regards to building advanced models in support of business functions.

Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).

• Minimum of 5 years of experience building, designing, and maintaining data science and/or AI projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying advanced statistical and machine learning techniques to real‑world problems, such as predictive modeling, natural language processing, computer vision, or recommender systems at scale (preferably in the restaurant vertical).
• Demonstrated experience in relevant fields or industries such as information retrieval, machine learning, NLP, and query understanding.
• Experience implementing machine learning models and algorithms into production at scale, including classifiers, anomaly detection, and clustering.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing the entire AI/ML lifecycle, from ideation, data acquisition, and model training to production deployment and monitoring, including developing scalable AI/ML CI/CD solutions. Ability to manage AI/ML projects including success metrics and use of project management tools (e.g., JIRA).
• Proficient in using various programming languages and tools for data analysis and machine learning, such as Databricks MLflow (Python, SQL, Tensor Flow, PyTorch, or Spark).
• Excellent communication skills, excelling in breaking down intricate AI/ML concepts for a diverse audience. Communicate technical concepts and results effectively to diverse stakeholders, including senior leadership.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills that can partner with cross‑functional teams.

• Ability to maintain stationary position to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Must be able to identify, analyze, and assess details.
• Occasional movement or transport of items up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to communicate with…